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Fireworks lit the sky, but what really sparked was a candid look at how culture, money, and boundaries shape love. We sit down with Aulani—a behavior-focused counselor and hula performer—to unpack the signals we miss and the standards that save us. From Hawaii’s New Year traditions to why the street is spotless on January 2, we trace how community norms carry into parenting, dating, and the choices we make when no one’s watching.

We get specific. Paper plates versus real dishes. Sneaker walls versus balanced budgets. A custom Hawaiian bracelet that doubles as a proposal and a life story etched in gold. These aren’t props; they’re patterns. They reveal whether someone invests in people or flexes for validation, whether spending is strategy or impulse. Aulani shares her six-month rule, why limited access to her space protects her peace, and how to read a home like a map of habits. Chris adds the parent’s view—passing down heirloom sneakers, setting rent for an at-home 19-year-old, and choosing tough love over comfort so independence can grow.

We also explore the emotional backbone of real partnership. Burnout happens. Crying can be a clean reset. Acceptance and commitment tools help you step back from spirals. The bigger challenge is communication: some of us want space to think, others want words to feel seen. When you know each other’s process, you stop rewarding bad patterns and start building trust. That shows up in dating, too. DMs and W Y D texts are easy. Sitting across from someone, listening, and noticing the mismatch between their confidence online and their presence in person—that’s where clarity lives.

If you’ve wondered whether it’s too late to change careers, we’ve got you. Your mid-30s can be a launchpad, not a deadline. Skills stack. Mentors matter. Multiple income streams keep your life resilient in a high-cost world. And boundaries? A text breakup won’t cut it. Respect does. Hit play for a warm, unfiltered journey through Hawaii’s culture, modern dating cues, practical money wisdom, and the kind of accountability that makes relationships—and people—stronger.

If this resonated, follow the show, share with a friend who needs new-year clarity, and leave a quick review to help others find us. What boundary are you protecting this year?

• reading Hawaii’s New Year culture and community cleanup
• how environment and media shape kids’ behavior and language
• six-month rule, access to space, and home-as-dating-red-flag
• paper plates vs plates for guests as signals of effort
• sneaker walls, image, resale, and spending priorities
• meaning of gold chains and custom Hawaiian bracelets
• career pivots in your 30s and building multiple incomes
• burnout cycles, crying as release, and ACT tools
• compatibility in communication and avoiding reactivity loops
• texting etiquette, social media dating, and showing up in person
• charging adult kids rent, chores, and financial discipline
• overprotection, rebellion, and honest talks with teens
• non-negotiables: no text breakups, trust and boundaries

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First and foremost, excuse the poor sound quality of this episode. My mic malfunctioned and I had to resort to my trusty airpods.

Enjoy this special episode with my cousin, Christian!

Grief doesn’t end, it reshapes you—and that’s where our conversation begins. We sit down with my cousin Christian to trace a life that spans Seaside party pads, frozen Minnesota mornings, and a late-blooming career in cybersecurity, all while carrying the love and loss of his wife. The story is raw and practical: how a recession closed one door, curiosity opened another, and therapy helped turn pain into movement instead of silence.

We go deep on what it takes to rebuild. Christian shares the jump from PC repair to Linux and networking, the breakthrough that came with mentors and certifications, and why imposter syndrome is a signal to ask better questions, not to shrink. We unpack the culture shock of the Midwest, the power of simple family check-ins, and the hard truth that support systems don’t magically appear—you either cultivate them or change your zip code. And we talk about mental health the way it should be talked about: cost, access, and the real payoff of unlearning “suck it up” in favor of steady, honest conversations.

Then we push into the fire of modern dating after loss. Expectations are sharp, forgiveness is scarce, and apps turn judgment into a reflex. Christian offers grounded advice: slow down, meet through shared activities, and let context build before chemistry gets tested. Hip-hop threads it all together as discipline, not nostalgia—b-boying as a practice that keeps the body honest and the ego humble, even as injuries linger longer and the next generation flies higher.

If you’ve ever started over—after grief, divorce, or a career dead end—this episode gives you language, tools, and proof that momentum can return. Subscribe, share this with someone who needs it, and drop a review with your best start-over rule. Your story might be the lifeline someone’s waiting for.

• moving from California grit to Minnesota quiet
• learning to live after losing a spouse
• late shift into cybersecurity and certifications
• mentorship, imposter syndrome and career momentum
• therapy costs, access and the payoff of speaking up
• generational norms versus modern mental health
• dating after loss, boundaries and app burnout
• b-boy longevity, injury management and evolving style
• family as support system and the pull of relocation

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Ever tried to love well while your brain is sprinting and your calendar won’t quit? We dive straight into the messy space where mental health meets relationships—how therapy, self‑awareness, and clean communication can turn chaos into something you can actually build on. With Anu co‑hosting and Sydni from 444 Hawaii in the studio, we get real about hustle culture, single parenting, and what it takes to protect your peace without ghosting the people you love.

We unpack the early warning signs that your mind needs care—panic spikes, irritability, and that numb drift that turns small disagreements into big blowups. Sydni shares why she chose to normalize therapy and medication, how angel numbers and legacy shaped her brand’s mission, and the daily habits that keep her grounded. We challenge the idea that partners should be each other’s therapists and offer a simple loop to repair after conflict: name the feeling, name the need, make one clear request, and revisit together. Short, human, repeatable.

Respect and transparency become the backbone of everything: letting your person know when plans change, acknowledging island dynamics where everyone knows everyone, and not leaving out the “small” details that later feel like betrayal. We also tackle the thorny stuff—work‑trip crushes without physical contact, whether preventive couples therapy is smart or overkill, and how to tell the difference between boys who play games and men who commit. Finally, we talk identity and attraction with compassion: labels can guide, but character and safety carry relationships across lines.

If this conversation hits home, tap follow, share with a friend who needs a calm, honest take on love and mental health, and leave a quick review so more listeners can find us. Your support keeps these real talks going.

mental health signals and coping in relationships
• hustle culture stress, single parenting and side gigs
• therapy, medication and removing stigma
• transparency, respect and preventing jealousy
• not therapising your partner and setting limits
• work‑trip crushes, monogamy and repair at home
• roasting with boundaries and trigger words
• identity, preference and raising inclusive kids
• breaking generational patterns with vulnerability

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A first mic, a sandy shoreline, and a set of hard-won lessons about love and timing—Sage brings a full-life story that hits both the studio and the heart. We dig into how he broke into radio through production, why tedious edits matter more than hot takes, and what it really takes to balance a day job, gym sessions, content, and weekend shifts on Island 98.5. His path is equal parts grind and guidance, with a nod to mentors who opened the door and a work ethic that kept it open.

We move from the board to the beach as Sage breaks down body surfing culture: competition stops, judging flow and form, and finding your crew. In the gym, he’s lived both sides—chasing heavy numbers as a teen and now prioritizing high-rep strength, mobility, and a kitchen-first approach to change. We talk fasting, hydration, and why the quiet choices between sets and meals outlast the loud ones. There’s a candid look at gym culture too, from tripods to pump covers to the awkward reality of accidental eye contact and what respect looks like in shared spaces.

Then we get personal. Missed flirting signals, when to ask “Do you want me to listen or fix?”, and the grown-up way to end a relationship when nobody is the villain. We walk through boundaries with exes, the art of transparency that prevents jealous spirals, and how to build a home where kids can speak without fear. It’s honest, sometimes messy, and ultimately hopeful: style is personal, trust is built, and clarity saves time, tenderness, and pride.

If you enjoy real talk that blends radio grind, ocean breaks, and relationship wisdom you can use today, hit play, follow the show, and share this with a friend who needs a nudge toward clearer conversations. Subscribe, rate, and drop a review—what’s one communication habit you want to practice this week?

• landing a radio role via production and mentorship
• balancing a day job with weekend on-air shifts
• body surfing competitions, judging, and community
• training shifts from maxes to high-rep strength
• fasting, kitchen discipline, and hydration
• attraction, gym culture, and social cues
• handling space versus fixing in conflict
• honesty without cruelty in feedback
• parents, privacy, and building trust at home
• missing flirting signals and naming feelings
• ending relationships with mutual respect
• transparency with exes and current partners
• first impressions and treating people well

“Don’t forget to tune in Island 98.5 every weekend. Saturday 4–10 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m.–4 p.m. on iHeartRadio too.”

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What makes someone “from” a place, and what belongs to blood, lineage, and lived experience? We bring that question home with Kea, who grew up in Hawaii, chased opportunity in Texas, and built a marketing career that runs on clarity, guts, and well-earned access. From island casual to mainland dress codes, rice cookers to nightclub NDAs, this conversation is a guided tour through identity, ambition, and the spaces where we decide who we are.

We get real about dating standards without the drama. Kea lays out why “all the good men are taken” is a myth and how to look where your values live—gyms, book clubs, community spaces—by showing up consistently. We talk transparency with exes, when to speak up, when to keep walking, and why sneaky links are a symptom of unmet needs rather than a solution. On the big question—can WAP save a marriage—Kea doesn’t flinch: great sex without trust and communication just makes you roommates with chemistry.

Beyond relationships, we dig into habits, books, and the underrated power of handwriting. Kea shares how writing things down improves memory, why she still writes letters in cursive, and how small, steady rituals build a life that holds. There’s humor too—calling out fad toys, plotting prank-filled wills, and laughing about crowded rooms—because self-awareness is lighter when you let it breathe. Her final confession might be your new safety protocol: run background checks, know who you’re dating, and protect your peace.

If this resonates, tap follow, share with a friend who needs straighter lines and softer landings, and leave a review to help more listeners find the show. Your support helps us keep these real, useful conversations coming.

• local identity vs Hawaiian ethnicity
• raising kids with multiple cultures
• moving for opportunity and entrepreneurship
• island casual vs mainland dress codes
• anxiety, safety, and crowded spaces
• NDAs, networking, and building social proof
• where to meet value-aligned partners
• boundaries with exes and transparency rules
• sneaky links, red flags, and respect
• why WAP won’t fix broken communication
• habits, books, memory, and handwriting
• Kea’s confession about background checks

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Ever wonder how a new model goes from posting beach shots to landing paid shoots and brand trips without losing herself? Kace joins us for a candid, funny, and grounded conversation about building a modeling career from scratch in Hawaii—no agencies, no shortcuts, just consistent posting, smart tagging, and a clear sense of purpose. She walks us through what “pose with a purpose” actually means, how she vets photographers with her mom‑manager, and why not every gig needs to be cash if it strategically builds portfolio and access.

We also get into the dating side of a public‑facing life. Kace’s standards are simple and strong: effort, respect, and a good attitude. She won’t pause her career to soothe someone’s insecurity, and she explains why support and compromise are the bedrock of any relationship with a traveling creative. Expect real talk on chivalry, materialism myths, and the messy line between being social and being “flirty.” When she truly likes someone, she admits she gets quieter—proof that attraction bends behavior, and that clear signals beat guesses.

Finally, we unpack intuition, boundaries, and conflict. From shutting down strangers filming on set to keeping disagreements private, Kace shows what emotional intelligence looks like day to day: notice your feelings, pause before you speak, and pick the outcome you actually want. We touch on friends‑with‑benefits pitfalls, wing‑woman strategies, and how group dynamics play out in clubs and DMs. If you’re trying to start modeling, navigate brand deals, or date someone who’s building a creative career, this one gives you a playbook and a spine.

Enjoyed the conversation? Follow, rate, and share the show with a friend who needs a nudge to post, tag, and start. Got a question for the next guest? Drop it in our comments or DMs and tell us your biggest boundary win this year.

• starting in modeling by posting, tagging, and building social proof
• vetting photographers and using a shared calendar with mom‑manager
• compensation tradeoffs between cash, merch, and brand trips
• balancing business school, travel, and the algorithm
• setting boundaries with public filming and random DMs
• dating standards, chivalry, and not shrinking your work for a partner
• wing‑woman tactics, club etiquette, and clearer signals
• friends‑with‑benefits limits and future relationship friction
• reading intuition, avoiding public arguments, and cooling off
• posing with a purpose and leading with confidence

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A single compliment in a dish pit changed everything. Kitty Pine walked us through the moment a chef called them the “best dishwasher” he’d ever seen—and how that flipped a switch from surviving to building a life in comedy. What followed wasn’t a straight shot to the spotlight, but a messy, hilarious path across Hawaii, Colorado, and Vegas, with brutal early bombs, a sudden first win, and the slow, stubborn craft of shaping ten minutes that work anywhere.

We dig into how “Kitty Pineapple” was born: a radio call-in bit that turned into a persona made of people Kitty loves—their fearlessness, logic, and style—stitched into something authentic. We talk about writing jokes that land with strangers on the mainland, then glide at home in Honolulu; we talk about why some Vegas rooms feel cold and why Hawaii feels like a hug. There’s a tender turn when Kitty recalls parents seeing the show for the first time in years, not fully getting the material but bursting with pride, and a random Uber clip of Dad bragging that still hits like a standing ovation.

The conversation goes deeper: boundaries with clout-chasers, listening to intuition, and moments where Spirit seemed to nudge Kitty away from danger. We unpack bodybuilding years, enhancements, and how hormone shifts unexpectedly clarified identity. The runway heels, the short dresses, the purple hair—it’s not a gimmick, it’s alignment. And there’s momentum beyond stand-up: a new romantic comedy series, Made to Shine, where Kitty plays a transgender comedic influencer, debuting on Amazon and Viva One.

If you’re chasing a reinvention, wrestling with family acceptance, or trying to write material that wins over a room that doesn’t know you yet, this one’s for you. Hit play, then share your turning point and the persona you had to build to become yourself. If you’re new here, follow and subscribe, drop a review to help others find the show, and send this to a friend who needs a nudge toward their next chapter.

• why asking for a yes still matters
• a dish pit compliment as a turning point
• early bombs, first wins, and open mic lessons
• inventing “Kitty Pineapple” from people we love
• social media resets versus keeping memories
• sensing energy, trusting Spirit, and boundaries
• moving from Hawaii to Colorado to Vegas for love and stage time
• writing material that works on the mainland and at home
• handling stares, kid questions, and staying gracious
• family acceptance, tradition, and showing up
• fashion, heels, confidence, and stage presence
• quitting competition cuts while keeping healthy training
• hormone impacts, embracing change, and identity
• new acting role: Made to Shine on Amazon and Viva One

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A model, mom, and photographer walks into our studio and refuses to give the safe, surface version of her story. Shyla takes us from beachside test shoots to real castings, through a tough pregnancy and a three‑minute delivery, and into the uneasy middle where postpartum emotions, body changes, and the pressure to “bounce back” collide with the need to create. She opens up about breastfeeding and weight loss, hair regrowth, and how stepping into a bikini casting after birth demanded new courage. Then we zoom out to the politics of Hawaii’s modeling scene—tight circles, familiar faces, and how gossip gates opportunity—and chart practical ways to build your own lane with fresh collaborators, stronger portfolios, and self-respect.

We also get real about love languages and daily gestures that actually land. Words of affirmation, small surprises, and public acknowledgment matter more than expensive theatrics, especially when work schedules, kids, and life fatigue stack up. Expect candid takes on gym boundaries and outfits, flirting signals versus polite conversation, and what “I’m busy” usually means. We swap DM strategies that feel human—reply to a story with substance, show social proof, cut the weird—and wrestle with visibility in relationships: why some people stay “single” online and how that choice affects trust, clout, and community.

Between Baby Reindeer, Game of Thrones, and a few anime confessions, this is a warm, unfiltered, and surprisingly practical hang about building a life that fits. If you’ve ever felt stuck between who you were and who you’re becoming—on the runway, at home, or on your feed—you’ll hear something that sticks. Hit play, subscribe for more honest conversations, and drop a review with your biggest takeaway so we can bring you deeper dives next week.

• modeling origin story and first castings
• postpartum weight loss, hair loss, emotions
• epidural, fast delivery, recovery mindset
• birthdays, anniversaries, gestures not gifts
• words of affirmation, gift giving, touch
• parties versus trips for kids and family
• Hawaii scene gatekeeping and networking
• agencies, acting auditions, self tapes
• binge picks: Baby Reindeer, GoT, anime
• flirting signals, “I’m busy,” social cues
• gym outfits, glances, and respect
• DM etiquette and social proof on IG
• visibility versus clout in relationships
• roles at home, provision, and nurture
• compromise for stay‑at‑home and shift work